With Saturday’s conclusion of the Big League World Series in Kalamazoo, Mich., it brought a conclusion to one of the most successful chapters in District 51 softball history.

Antelope Valley College’s Shannon Bailey, Paraclete of Lancaster graduate Ashley Shirk, Quartz Hill’s Brittany Farrell and Lancaster’s Heather Black began playing Little League together a decade ago, finishing sixth at the 2003 Junior Softball World Series in Kirkland, Wash.

They capped their run with a 4-1 victory Friday over the tournament host to place third. Central Regional champ Grand Rapids, Mich. – which defeated Antelope Valley 3-2 in the semifinals – won the World Series with a 2-1, nine-inning triumph Saturday over the Philippines.

“It was a good ending to everything,” Shirk said. “It was sad to think that we played our last game together. But it was a good way to go out.”

Bailey contemplated not playing for the 18-under all-stars this summer because of a sore shoulder. But the decision allowed her to make a third trip to Kalamazoo and stay with the same host family, Drew and Sorita Schau.

“I looked at what I would’ve missed and I would’ve been pretty upset,” Bailey said. “I feel like I’m home here. I wanted to win (the title), but I wanted to come here and enjoy the whole experience.”

Wolverines fall short against So Cal’s best: After winning the Southern Section Div. I-A title last year, the Harvard-Westlake of Studio City girls’ volleyball team got an early indication of what the competition will be like this fall in Div. I-AA.

Although the Wolverines didn’t record a victory against three perennial Southern California powers at the Ann Kang Invitational, Harvard-Westlake held its own with some of the nation’s elite in Honolulu.

Harvard-Westlake suffered a 19-25, 25-23, 15-9 consolation setback to Corona del Mar of Newport Beach late Friday after losing 22-25, 25-21, 16-14 to Long Beach Wilson in the quarterfinals.

The Wolverines opened pool play with three consecutive victories Thursday, before losing 25-20, 25-23 to Redondo Union of Redondo Beach.